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Chris Muller (baseball)

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Chris Muller
Cleburne Railroaders – No. 33
Pitcher
Born: (1996-04-22) April 22, 1996 (age 28)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Christopher Robert Muller (born April 22, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He is currently a phantom ballplayer, having spent three days on the Tampa Bay Rays' active roster without appearing in a big-league game.

Amateur career

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During his early years Muller was a standout pitcher for the Which Wich Grinders and attended Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas.[1] He attended Paris Junior College, where he began his college baseball career, and transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to play for the UTSA Roadrunners.[2][3]

Professional career

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Tampa Bay Rays

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Muller was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 17th round, with the 499th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He signed with the Rays on June 19, 2017.[5] He made his professional debut in 2018, splitting time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast Rays and Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades. In 14 games, he posted a 2.28 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched.[6] In 2019, he pitched in 31 games for the Single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods, logging a 2–5 record and 2.88 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 4 saves in 56.1 innings pitched.[7]

Miller did not play in a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] He instead played for the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of the Constellation Energy League, where he logged a 5.63 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 2 saves in 7 appearances.[9] He spent the 2021 season split between Bowling Green and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. In 21 combined appearances, he registered a 4.98 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 7 saves in 21.2 innings pitched.[10]

He spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, making 51 appearances and registering a 5–3 record and 4.91 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 2 saves in 58.2 innings pitched.[11] Muller was assigned to Triple-A Durham to begin the 2023 season, where he made 14 appearances and posted a 3.71 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 1 save in 17.0 innings pitched.[12]

Following an injury to Drew Rasmussen, on May 12, 2023, Muller was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[13] Muller did not make an appearance for the Rays and was optioned to Triple-A on May 15 when Pete Fairbanks was activated off of the injured list, making him a phantom ballplayer.[14] On May 28, Muller was designated for assignment following the promotion of Joe LaSorsa.[15] He cleared waivers and was released by the Rays on May 29.[16] He re-signed with the team on a minor league contract on June 15.[17] After 6 scoreless appearances for the rookie–level Florida Complex League Rays, Muller was released for a second time on August 3.[18]

Chicago White Sox

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On August 6, 2023, Muller signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization.[19] He made 9 appearances for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights, struggling to an 11.88 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 8+1⁄3 innings pitched. Muller elected free agency following the season on November 6.[20]

Cleburne Railroaders

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On March 22, 2024, Muller signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[21] In 33 games 42 innings of relief he went 0-0 with a 3.43 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 4 saves.

Personal life

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His younger brother, Kyle, is also a Major League Baseball pitcher, who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics.[22]

References

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  1. ^ https://news4sanantonio.com/former-utsa-pitcher-shows-major-transformation-while-chasing-big-league-dream
  2. ^ "Chris Muller - 2017 - Baseball". goutsa.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "Four PJC baseball players have fall signing". Paris Junior College. January 17, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "MLB Draft 2017: Tampa Bay Rays draft tracker and signing board". draysbay.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "Chris Muller '14 Drafted by Tampa Bay, Signs Professional Contract with Rays". jesuitrangers.org. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "Chris Muller College, Minor, Winter & Independent League Statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  7. ^ "Chris Muller Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "New Sugar Land Skeeters league includes "Lightning Sloths"". news.sports logos.net. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Former UTSA pitcher shows major transformation while chasing Big League dream". foxsanantonio.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "Chris Muller Stats, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Rays select Chris Muller". yardbarker.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  13. ^ "Rays' Chris Muller: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "Rays' Chris Muller: Sent back to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  15. ^ "Rays' Chris Muller: Cast off 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  16. ^ "Chris Muller: In search of new organization". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  17. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  18. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-08-03/p-1
  19. ^ https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/roster/transactions/chicago-white-sox
  20. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "2024 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  22. ^ "How Oakland's surprising Opening Day starter reacted to the news". mlb.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
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